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THE MOVEMENTS OF STARLINGS. 

 By H. E. Forrest, Hon. Sec. Caradoc and S. V. Field Club. 



Starlings are so familiar to us all, whether living in town or 

 country, that it would be natural to suppose we know all about 

 their habits and economy, and that it would be almost impossible 

 to find anything fresh to say about them. Up to a very recent 

 date the writer was of the same opinion ; but certain events led 

 to his making investigations, and these have resulted in the pen- 

 ning of the present article, which he hopes will at least add to 

 our knowledge of the movements of these interesting birds at 

 different seasons of the year. 



Perhaps no habit of the Starling has been more often described 

 than their collecting in multitudes in autumn to roost together 

 in reed -beds, &c. This may conveniently be made the starting- 

 point in our investigations, and Shropshire the field of our 

 enquiries. 



The following is a list of the principal " roosts " in the 

 county, with details as to the character of each place, and the 

 name of the observer who has reported on the same : — 



Alkmond Pool, two miles north of Shrewsbury. — A small 

 sheet of water with trees on one side, and beds of osiers and 

 reeds on projecting tongues of land on opposite sides. The 

 Starlings roost on the reeds in tens of thousands. — H. E. Forrest. 



Moreton Corbet, six miles north-east of Shrewsbury. — A 

 coppice called Dawson's Bough ; one of the biggest roosts in the 

 county. The Starlings here probably number over a million, 

 and roost on the hazel underwood. Pheasants roost on the big 

 trees, but the odour of the Starlings and their droppings causes 

 them to quit each year. The keepers have tried to drive away 

 the Starlings by shooting, &c, but without any final success. — 

 W. H. Parry. 



Colemere Mere, Ellesmere. — A large sheet of water with 

 extensive reed-beds. The Starlings used to resort to the reeds 



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